Tuesday 21 January 2014

Dodgy Armoured Car

A while back I decided that I needed a Panhard AML 90 (click here for details on on vehicle), and that I didn't want to track down a plastic kit or resin model of one. Rather I wanted to see if I could produce a suitable proxy from my bits bin.


Picture sourced from E-bay of a much nicer toy than I used as the basis for conversion.

I started with a rather play worn Corgi Daimler Dingo armoured car, which I roughly cut the sides down on.

Corgi Dingo sans sides and crew.

I added an Airfix Sheridan turret, and added the barrel from a Roco Tiger II. I then added a figure from a Hawesaga kit to act as the vehicle commander.


The proxy takes form.

The paint scheme is loosely based on a vehicle on display at Bovington (click here to see pictures)

And now painted and washed!

The business end.

This should serve as a suitable proxy until I decide to replace it with an actual model of an AML 90. Should I do that then this proxy model will be used in Harad games.

Side view.

The view from the other side.
 Given the way Command Decision treats vehicles (one model represents 3-5 actual vehicles) I shouldn't need more than one AML-90 for the Falklands, as their battlefield use was quite limited.


A view from above.
On an unrelated note I am currently looking for a rules system similar in approach to Megablitz, but for modern (read 1970s-1980s) forces. I had an idea that I could use such a system to fight the larger actions of Harad's civil war, and use CD for fighting the smaller ones.Should anyone have any suggestions, please leave them in the comments. Of course it may well be that Megablitz is perfect for what I want, in which case I then have to track a copy down!

24 comments:

  1. In the Megablitz yahoo group there are files to use the system with post war games.

    Cheers,

    Pete.

    PS- Nice converting btw.

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    1. Thanks Pete! I have followed your advice and joined the list.

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  2. That looks really cool! Well done mate.

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    1. Thanks Nick! Sometimes it works better than planned!

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  3. Great conversion.What did you cut the metal with?

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    1. Thanks tradgardmastare, I used a cordless Dremel to cut it. Rotary tools are very useful for converting diecasts.

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  4. Outstanding Brian. I really think you need not to buy a kit. This is a gem.

    Now why did I not think of this!

    Well done.

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    1. Thanks Paul! I am very pleased with how well it turned out.

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  5. A little miracle.

    Well done.

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    1. Thanks Dylan! Hopefully it will perform miracles on the tabletop!

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  6. Great conversion work there Brian! Looks perfect to me!

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    1. Thanks Rodger! I just hope the next conversions go as well!

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    1. Thanks Jim! The Dremel certainly made the hacking easier!

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  8. Excellent bodging skills sir! Megablitz was originally used for games set in the 1980s. The 'Modern Megablitz' file on the DG isn't mine but I'll try to dig out the playsheet I use for 'modern' games.

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    1. Thanks Tim! Any information I could get would be gratefully received!

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  9. That Sir - is a bloody-good conversion (impression?) and definitely gets the 'look' right...Namibia, mid eighties? Now you need a Ratel, a Bison and a couple of Buffaloes!!!

    Hugh

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    1. Thanks Hugh! that does sound tempting - certainly warmer than the Falklands, plus I might get to field some Cuban T-55s!

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  10. That is really well done!

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    1. Thanks Al! It worked out better than expected!

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  11. Brilliant conversion, Brian, and a very plausible one. This posting somehow slipped under my radar over the last few days, else I would have commented earlier.

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    1. Thanks Ion! Now lets see those Tchagi Centurions!

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  12. Nice dodgy conversion there. It looks far more co-ordinated than a real Panhard :O)

    Regards, Chris

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